Archive for the ‘Traditional Degrees’ Category

For those of you who want to learn how to become a licensed counselor, it might be helpful to know that counseling is a rewarding career path that is ideal for someone who is compassionate and dedicated to helping others.

Duties of a Counselor

A counselor will use his or her skills to help individuals, families or groups to face their emotional, social, personal or other problems, and eventually overcome them. It isn’t always an easy task, but the smile that you’ll see on your patients’ faces when they have put their problems behind them thanks to your help is priceless.

Top schools offering Counseling Degrees Online:

Now, the question you are probably asking yourself is how to become a licensed counselor. This requires several steps, but once you have obtained your license, you will have a variety of career options as well as job freedom.

How to Become a Licensed Counselor

Your first step to becoming a licensed counselor is obtaining the proper degree. Most counselors are required to have a Bachelor Degree in the Arts, as well as a Masters Degree in Counseling or a similar field (psychology, therapy). Some states require that certain counseling positions be filled by an individual with a PhD in Counseling, so be sure to check with your state laws governing this matter.

After these degrees, or during them if you volunteer or get an internship, you should begin building up experience in the field. This is one of the best ways to find out how to become a licensed counselor, because you will meet others who either have or are in the process of getting their license as well. And most licensing exams require that 2 years of experience be obtained before they can be written.

Examples of Counselor Degrees:

  • MA in Marriage & Family Therapy
  • MA in Pastoral Counseling
  • MA in Professional Counseling
  • PhD in Counseling
  • AA in Psychology – Christian Counseling
  • BS in Psychology – Christian Counseling

Counseling schools will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to write your state licensure exam. Once you pass this, you can find work as a corporate, pastoral, military, government, private practice or freelance counselor, among many other non-traditional counseling careers.

You will find that a career in counseling is rewarding and interesting, with lots of room for you to grow professionally, spiritually and emotionally. You will dedicate yourself to helping others, and there are few causes more satisfying.